7 Summer Basics You Can Get for Under $100 at Amazon

Amazon may be our favorite destination for online shopping. You can buy entire summer outfits, head to toe, on the site, or pick up pieces that you need for an upcoming vacation or an imminent special occasion. Your Prime membership will come in handy if you need something in short order. But you can also stock up on on some great summer basics via Amazon. We’ve chosen some basics that will come in handy in just about every wardrobe, whether you’re spending most of the summer in the office or planning on jetting off to a favorite destination stateside or abroad. The pieces ahead are all summer staples that we wouldn’t be without — ones that you can easily add to your rotation with a quick Amazon order.

1. White oxford

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The white oxford is a piece that you’ll find endless ways to style this summer. You can wear it with trousers to the office, throw it on with a pair of jeans for weekend errands, wear it with a skirt for a dinner date, or style it with a pair of shorts for a trip to the beach. Alternative Apparel’s oxford shirt is a great style to try. It’s crafted of 100% cotton, which makes it breathable even on hot and humid summer days, and features a classic button-down collar.

2. Striped tee

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Whether your sense of style skews all-American or has a more European bent, a striped tee can occupy an important place in your summer wardrobe. A short-sleeve style pairs easily with trousers, a pair of jeans, pencil skirt, or a pair of shorts for a casual outing. A long-sleeved version is perfect for chilly mornings or coastal winds, and works as a chic poolside layer. There’s practically an endless array of striped tees to choose from, but one of our favorites is this long-sleeved Petit Bateau style, which is constructed of midweight jersey and offers a perfectly classic look.

3. Chinos

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Chinos are the perfect summer alternative to jeans. They’re usually more lightweight and breathable than, say, a tight pair of skinny jeans, and they look a little more dressed-up than your average pair of denim. If you aren’t yet wearing chinos regularly, look for a pair that’s cut slim but relaxed to maximize your comfort on hot summer days, like this pair from Dockers. A tab closure keeps things looking streamlined, and slim legs make it easy to cuff them and show off your shoes, whether you pair them with heels or flats.

4. Light-wash jeans

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If, on the other hand, you love wearing jeans, then you can’t go wrong with a pair of light-wash denim for the summer. You aren’t going to be wearing these to any dressed-up dinners, so why not opt for a pair with a lived-in look? We love Levi’s 501 jeans in “Laurel Haze,” a color way that’s light and distressed without any of the excessive fading or gratuitous tears that other brands add. This pair is made of 100% cotton denim and feature a button-fly for styling that’s perfectly reminiscent of your favorite vintage pairs.

5. Black dress

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A little black dress is a staple year-round. And if you choose the right cut, you don’t have to hang yours up in the closet when the weather gets hot. For a summer-friendly LBD, a great style to try is a trapeze dress. Karen Kane’s trapeze-cut style is a great illustration of how versatile the silhouette is. Styled right, it can either look super casual perhaps with the sandals and straw hat you wear each weekend to the farmer’s market, or dressed up, such as with your favorite pair of heels and a sleek clutch.

6. Canvas sneakers

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A canvas sneaker is an extremely useful shoe for summer. If you’ve had a pair already, you’ve probably found yourself wearing them all the time, and if you’ve held out on adding a pair to your wardrobe, then you’ll be surprised by just how versatile these shoes can be. One of our favorite styles is the Jack Purcell from Converse. It’s streamlined and comfortable, and just classic enough that you can wear it with a dress in addition to styling it with your favorite jeans or chinos. You can’t go wrong with a pair in white.

7. Sandals

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Our final recommendation for a summer staple you won’t want to live without? A sleek pair of sandals. Whatever your opinion on flip-flops, you can probably agree that there are times when you want a pair of shoes that look summery but polished. A sandal, like this Sam Edelman style, fits the bill. They’re minimal and streamlined, so they’ll look great when you’re headed to a party that calls for a cute dress, and look equally perfect when you’re throwing on a tee and shorts to head to the pool.